It's well known that cayenne pepper is an important ingredient in hot sauces,
salsa and spicy restaurant dishes, but mostly unknown that extracts of cayenne
can help ease the terrible burning pain of shingles (herpes zoster), reduce
muscle soreness, speed healing of strains and sprains, heal ulcers of the
digestive tract, and stimulate metabolism, helping the body get rid of excess
fat.

The herb (and spice) cayenne is the ripe fruits (called peppers) of a blend
of varieties of Capsicum annuum var. minimum and small-fruited
varieties of C. fructescens from the nightshade family.

Historyof Use
The origins of this herb, now used as food and medicine in most countries
of the world, is uncertain. Cayenne was not mentioned in writings from ancient
Egypt (1500 BC), Greece (455 BC to 50 BC), Rome (25 BC to 150 AD), Persia
(13th century), India and China, so historians claim Cayenne peppers originated
from the Americas, most likely from the banks of the Amazon. It is impossible
for modern botanists to say where cayenne grew in some ancient time as a
wild plant, because it has been domesticated and widely cultivated for so
many centuries. Thus, we are content today to enjoy its fruits without being
sure of its true origin and much of its history, though it is likely that
cayenne went to India and China as early as the 14th or 15th century, and
began to be cultivated in Europe in the 16th century.

Today, cayenne is as popular as ever as a food, and modern science has continued
to support its use as a healing herb with a number of well-designed clinical
and laboratory studies. It's world-wide acceptance as an effective medicine
is supported by ts official status in the Pharmacopoeias of Austria, Egypt,
Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Switzerland and Belgium.

Popular and Folk Uses
As anyone knows who has eaten a very spicy meal at a Thai or Mexican restaurant,
Capsicum at first causes a strong burning sensation of the lips and mouth,
followed by a sense of warmth spreading to the stomach and intestines.

Casein-containing foods (such as milk) can quickly lessen the burning feeling
of cayenne on the lips and mouth, probably because the heat-producing compounds
of cayenne are fat-soluble and are taken up and removed from the local area.

Not only do people of warm climates love cayenne in spicy dishes, but as
a folk remedy for weak digestion and loss of appetite accompanied by gas
and sluggish elimination, and as a stimulant to the circulation and the
powers of resistance to help ward of colds and flus.

Cayenne is a favorite with herbalists from many countries, and in the U.S.,
it was the "number two" favorite remedy of Samuel Thompson of
the early 1800s, who started a popular herbal multi-level marketing extravaganza
with his patent formulas--sort of a 19th century Herbal Life. He used it
especially for helping to ward off and even expel the contagion of serious
infectious diseases. It was also a favorite of the well-known Dr. Christopher,
a Mormon herbalist who traversed the country in the 1960s and 70s, helping
to bring herbal medicine back into American consciousness. In the late 70s,
I remember watching him in a dynamic Seattle lecture, to the amazement of
onlookers, put cayenne directly into his eyes as a healing and clearing
remedy (don't try this at home folks!). He was enthusiastic about its use
for numerous complaints, including as a styptic to help stop the bleeding
of cuts.

Today, cayenne is one of the most-often used herbal remedies and is commonly
recommended by herbalists for increasing circulation in people with cold
hands and feet, as a metabolic stimulant for people with sluggish metabolisms
who are overweight, as a warming stimulant with other herbs such as garlic
and ginger for protecting against colds and upper respiratory tract infections,
and externally as a liniment or in ointments for sore muscles, arthritis,
rheumatism, low back pain, strains, sprains, bruises and neuralgia.

Scientific Investigations and Medical Uses
The most important active ingredient in cayenne are components of a pungent
oleoresin, most importantly, capsaicin, but also a number of other related
compounds. Capsaicin Cayenne is also rich in carotenoids (orange and red
coloring compounds), which are receiving current interest for their cancer-protective
and strong anti-oxidant properties, as well as a number of vitamins (especially
A and C).

There has been some discussion about whether cayenne, if it is used excessively,
can irritate or even cause ulceration of the intestinal tract. In reviewing
the modern scientific literature, studies agree that cayenne not only does
not harm the intestinal mucosa (the protective covering), but on the contrary,
can speed healing--though some people seem to be more sensitive to the irritating
effect than others. In one study, daily consumption of meals containing
3 grams of chili powder did not worsen patients with duodenal ulcers who
were also taking antacids. A recent study, using a video camera threaded
into the digestive tract, found no visible damage to the mucosa of the stomach
or upper small intestine of 12 healthy volunteers who consumed 30 grams
of jalapeÒo peppers. When the subjects were given a meal containing
2 grams of aspirin, multiple gastric ulcers were seen in 11 out of the 12.

In animal studies, cayenne has actually shown a protective effect on the
gastric mucosa, prompting some researchers to call for further human studies.

One of the more interesting effects of cayenne (or capsaicin) is its proven
enhancement of the metabolic rate and thermogenesis. Preliminary studies
suggest that capsaicin or cayenne may increase the burning of fat in the
body.

There is also an indication from laboratory studies that capsaicin can slow
fat absorption from the small intestine. Although more work needs to be
done before its effectiveness in weight loss programs can be proven, products
are currently being developed and a few are already available in health
food stores.

Capsaicin has received tremendous attention as a topical analgesic for relieving
the pain that often accompanies herpes zoster (shingles) outbreaks and other
skin ailments. Capsaicin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration
as an Over-the-Counter (OTC) medication and is commonly recommended by doctors
under the trade name ZostrixÆ for this purpose, as well as for controlling
pain from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Studies show that capsaicin
may block the feeling of pain by depleting and then blocking the production
of "substance P," which is thought to be the main chemical messenger
of pain from the peripheral sensory nerves to the brain. It may also be
involved with the release of inflammatory substances in affected joints
of arthritis.

Because capsaicin is very alcohol-soluble, tincture of cayenne may be effective
as a home-remedy for the relief of mild pain. Although I recommend seeking
the advice of a qualified health professional for shingles or arthritis
before attempting to self-medicate with cayenne, I have found the tincture,
or ointments or salves that contain it are often effective for relieving
mild to moderate muscle aches or pains. The preparations should be applied
consistently at least 3 or 4 times daily (up to 5 or 6 times) for up to
2 weeks, or even a month before they are effective. After 4 or 5 months
of pain relief, up to 50% of the people who use a capsaicin product may
not experience further pain. For those that do, treatment can be continued.
A few drops of a tincture of cayenne was recommended in the British 19th
century medical press as a sure remedy for a toothache.

Redness and a burning sensation sometimes accompanies the application, but
this usually disappears after two or three weeks. After control of the pain
is achieved, the cayenne preparation has to be used continuously for continued
relief to occur. Clinical studies indicate that up to 80% of the volunteers
who use a capsaicin cream experience some measure of relief, which is significantly
better than placebo groups. Watch for any irritation or redness of the skin
locally, which might indicate an individual sensitivity to cayenne, and
make sure to keep all cayenne and capsaicin preparations away from the eyes.
In this case, use less often or consult a qualified health care practitioner
for guidance. Unlike mustard, which can blister and burn the skin, cayenne,
even in its most powerful forms will not cause these undesirable side-effects.
Finally, there is some recent evidence to suggest that capsaicin-containing
preparations may be useful for treating psoriasis.

Christopher Hobbs is a fourth generation herbalist and botanist with over 30 years experience with herbs. Founder of Native Herb Custom Extracts (now Rainbow Light Custom Extracts) and the Institute for Natural Products......more

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